Bruised

She laughs and cries
Suddenly… she turns.
Even alone, there were
A million eyes
Fixed on her back.

She tries hard, desperately
To shake of those glares
Marking her every move.
Withdrawing into her shell
She isn’t she – now.

A smile, handshake, laugh.
So foreign – she thought.
Calculated, measured, deliberate.
What mask have I put on?
How do I look in the mirror?

A bird caged, never sings as sweet.
A flower potted, never smells as fresh.
A heart scared, restrained – bruised.